EYDAP: Investment Increase Needed from 15 to 200 Million Euros Annually

The need to increase investments from 15 million euros to 200 million euros annually was highlighted yesterday (March 20, 2025) by the Chief Advisor of EYDAP, Haris Sachinis, during the presentation of the Water Treatment Unit in Acharnes. Specifically, Mr. Sachinis stated that for EYDAP to continue providing clean water to Athens, it is essential to invest 2.1 billion euros over a decade, or 200 million euros annually, compared to the previous 15 million. “We have already reached 65-70 million euros per year. We need to find a way to achieve this,” he emphasized. With strategic priorities including sustainable water management, continuous service upgrades, and digital transformation, EYDAP has incorporated 690 million euros into its decade-long investment plan for network upgrades, water treatment unit improvements, and smart meters. The implementation of the 2.1 billion euro investment plan will address infrastructure aging, Attica’s development, and some climate crisis challenges. Due to the climate crisis, rapid depletion of reserves continues. “In October 2022, I told you there was no issue in Attica because we were above the 15-year average. Then October 2022 came, and it didn’t rain. From being above average, we dropped below. October 2023 came again with no rain. When we saw this, we started looking at what we could do to secure more water,” Sachinis noted while discussing alternative solutions examined. The most economical solution involves sourcing water from the Kremastoi reservoir via the Krikelopotamos and Karpenisiotos rivers, costing 15 cents per cubic meter. Another option includes desalination in Itea, priced around 30-35 cents per cubic meter, or 30% of standard desalination costs. As a third alternative and emergency plan, transporting water via large tankers from the Acheloos River through Astakos to Aspra Spitia and Thisvi in Boeotia is considered, with transportation costs reaching 80 cents per cubic meter. Mixed feelings were expressed by the Chief Advisor of EYDAP, who stated: “I feel quite confident that we won’t run out of water, but I am worried because we need to expedite these projects to secure sufficient water.” Regarding Greek regions, Mr. Sachinis stressed the necessity of providing more water to the Southern Suburbs due to urban expansion. To supply more water to these areas, water must be redirected from the Perissos unit, requiring significant excavation and investment. EYDAP’s Water Treatment Units located in Galatsi, Acharnes, Polydendri, and Mandra Aspropyrgos are crucial for delivering clean, high-quality water to all Attica consumers. These facilities purify water before distributing it through approximately 14,000 km of pipelines. Notably, the Acharnes Water Treatment Unit, operational since 1978, has been expanded twice—in 1989 and 1992—and continuously upgraded. The facility ensures water supply to 60% of Lekanopedion areas, especially those at higher altitudes, with a total nominal filtration capacity of 850,000 m³/d. Additionally, modern sludge management units have been installed on-site to separate solid waste from water, ensuring further purification processes.